Works councils for Salvesen
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by Karen Miles • Christian Salvesen Distribution looks set to become the first company in the UK distribution sector to set up EU-style works councils.
Salvesen is studying the possibility of setting up worker representative councils for all its EU staff, although it is not required to in the UK, as the Government has opted out of the Social Chapter.
The probable creation of the council by September 1996 is being watched closely by other multinational transport companies including NFC and BOC.
Salvesen Distribution is talking to the Transport and General Workers and UM unions, as well as its customers and competitors, about the advantages of voluntarily bringing its 6,500 UK workers into a Europe-wide council. The company has a further * Works councils are expected to be a forum for discussions between staff representatives and management on issues such as equal opportunities, mergers, investment plans and health and safety.
European companies with more than 1,000 staff within the EU or 150 in two or more member states are bound to have a council in place by September 1998. Any firm introducing one by September 1996 can put in place a less rigidly controlled system. However companies at no stage will be forced to divulge marketsensitive information.
1,500 staff in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal who will have to be provided with an international works council within three years under EU law.